Coroner could not rule out self-drowning

Coroner Robert Pearce found it was unlikely Helen Munnings had deliberately disappeared to start a new life.

He found while “it would take a remarkable effort of human resolve to deliberately stay under water to the point of drowning” he could not rule out that she had drowned herself.

The inquest identified Mr Taylor as a person of interest.

But while the coroner found the relationship between Mr Taylor and Helen Munnings was “tumultuous and turbulent” and at times “characterised by ill will”, the evidence before him did not support a finding that Mr Taylor was involved in her disappearance.

He made no formal recommendation or comment concerning Helen Munnings’ death except to indicate that the police investigation into it should remain open, because “further evidence may become available”.